X Report 21 Feb 2025
SpaceX's Falcon 9 achieves another milestone with successful international launch; Elon Musk discusses the future of the ISS; SpaceX prepares for its 450th Falcon launch.
NOVA 1 (12458)
COSPAR: 1981-044A | Alt Name: NNS 30480-37
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 15, 1981
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC5
Launch Vehicle
Scout G-1
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12458
International Designator
1981-044A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:15:07 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
89.85°
Right Ascension
88.39°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
264.47°
Period
108.82 min
Mean Motion
13.23 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
NOVA 1
Alternative Name
NNS 30480-37
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
NAVAIR
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12458U 81044A 26184.96883507 .00000085 00000-0 18033-3 0 9995
2 12458 89.8475 88.3927 0012307 264.4743 105.4250 13.23302231178747
Source: Celestrak
Summary
NOVA 1 (NNS 30480-37) is a US satellite launched on May 15, 1981, from AFWTR SLC5 using a Scout G-1 launch vehicle by RCA for the NAVAIR. Configured as a Transit-Bus with gravity stabilization and powered by four deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries, it measures 1.2 meters in length, 0.5 meters in diameter, has a span of 79 meters, a dry mass of 138 kg, and weighed 165 kg at launch. Equipped with pulsed plasma thrusters for propulsion, NOVA 1's mission focuses on navigation purposes. Its shape is described as cylindrical with four panels and an antenna, and it has a radar cross-section (RCS) value of 1.6177.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.2
Diameter
0.5
Span
79
Dry Mass
138
Launch Mass
165
Shape
Cyl + 4 Pan + Ant
Radar Cross Section
1.6177
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Nova 1 (O-48)
Purpose
Navigation
Mission
Navigation
Manufacturer
RCA
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Nova
Configuration
Transit-Bus, Gravity Stabilized
Motor
Pulsed plasma thrusters
Equipment
?
Power System
4 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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